Reviews for Passage to Moorea

Non-stop ACTION and fascinating characters O’Hagan doesn’t waste a single sentence as he drops Thomas into some of the most fast paced and inventive action you will ever read.  He also develops characters of extraordinary depth. No cardboard villains here-I don’t think I have ever encountered more deadly or sinister bad guys. There is also plenty of humor, and, as others have mentioned in their reviews, it is also quite a love story. Can’t wait for the next adventure in the series. Jon Starlight

Terrific Adventure I am a life-long fan of adventure novels and I have enjoyed hundreds of books that span history from the 14th century up until modern times. Most have been OK, but they tend to employ the same old character and action formulas. A tiny fraction are extraordinary and will stay with me forever. Passage to Moorea (and the 1st book in the series, too) fits into that rarified category. O’Hagan’s writing is true literary quality, there are no formulas here. It is original, dynamic, fast-moving, and packed with surprises. If you enjoy high adventure, this is your book. HHI Steelerman

What a ride. This book has it all! O’Hagan is firing on all cylinders with Passage to Moorea. He doesn’t leave out a single thing that readers want in a grand historical adventure. Action, character, location, fine dining and deep emotional connections mark this as one very special read. There’s got to be a movie! Matchu

Heartbreakingly awesome It’s hard for me to find enough superlatives to describe this book; from the quality of its writing and research, to the way each character is brought to life, it is an amazing read. And as powerful and explosive as the action is, the love story at the core of Passage to Moorea is guaranteed to break your heart. I found myself lingering over (and re-reading) so many sections. O’Hagan’s descriptions of South Sea islands and the gritty streets of NYC in the 1870s are superb. This is a book I will read again and again. CEB

Thomas Scoundrel sets a new standard for heroism Where have all the heroes gone? I have asked myself that question a lot in the past few years. From the one-dimensional movie characters who are great at spinning back kicks but terrible at acting, to novels that are heavy on political correctness and light on honest story-telling, this has not been a good era for readers like me who want fully-fleshed out characters (complete with human flaws) who we can count on to do the right things for the right reasons, no matter the danger to themselves. Thomas Scoundrel is real, he is very human (warts and all), but he always rises to the occasion, often in spectacular fashion. Heroism is back, and it's about time. Andrew R.

This big book delivers big adventure Author O’Hagan knows history and how to create a memorable story and characters, but what he really understands is what makes an adventure story tick. His use of pacing, tension, and the sense of imminent danger is perfect. He creates a believable world and fills it with realistic people and scene after scene of thrilling action. A must read. Aaron Steffen

A historical adventure with Impressionistic art at its core? I enjoy art and am always fascinated by how art forms and styles evolve over time, but I didn't expect fine art to be a pivotal part of an actin-packed historical fiction novel. O'Hagan weaves the birth of Impressionism and the struggle the movement faced to be come accepted by the art world into his book in genius fashion. From the lagoons of Tahiti to the snobbish art galleries of New York City, Impressionistic art underlies the entire story. What a delightful surprise. L. Parrott

Epic adventure and a love story for the ages This is what real adventure looks like. Passage to Moorea is packed with fascinating characters, a compelling story in which the action never lets up, and wonderful descriptions of locations from Polynesia to New York City. As for the love story that permeates the tale, that is something to behold. Just magnificent. Highly recommended. Stephanie Fernandus

Big, fast-moving and memorable OK, I read a lot, but typically I stick with books I can complete in 2 or 3 reading sessions, novels that weigh in at under 300 pages. It took a lot of persuasion from my wife for me to agree to pick Passage to Moorea up. 500 pages? I wasn’t so sure about that. I’m glad I listened to her; this book grabs hold of the reader and hangs on tight from the very first page. Every new character, every new location and every new action sequence kept me turning the page in anticipation. I can’t remember the last time I was so wrapped up in a book. And, for the record, I will pick up any book that my wife recommends in the future! C. Rhine

Nighttime swim in the secret Hawaiian lagoon? Goosebumps!! I enjoy books that find new and interesting ways to portray romantic relationships, and I have to say that Passage to Moorea is off the chart fantastic in that department. There is a scene in which Thomas Scoundrel takes a late night swim in a tropical lagoon with a Hawaiian Princess, and it is one of the most incredible romantic encounters I have ever read. WOW! Christine S.

Turn off the TV and read this book instead I give five stars for this one. Have been looking forward to this , the second in the Thomas Scoundrel series, and like the first does not dissapoint. All the drinking and fighting, romance, art and fine food you would ever hope to encounter in a novel, all wrapped in a historical page turning adventure, with beatuiful descriptions of the places and times in the late 1800's. Turn off the TV and read this instead , better than anything that's on. Andy Duran

Sail off on this adventure and you won’t be disappointed I don’t know about you, but when I crack open a big historical fiction novel, I want to be immediately transported to another world with larger-than-life characters, a crackling good plot, and memorable characters. That describes Passage to Moorea in a nutshell. Looking forward to the next book in the series. Amy B.

Reviews for Scoundrel in the Thick

This grand adventure delivers I found this to be a wise and wildly entertaining novel. It is equal parts adventurous, touching, mischievous, and memorable. Some of the best dialogue you will find, spoken by characters who will stick with you forever. One of the ads for this book says, “Adventure Returns.” They weren’t kidding! - Alicia D.

Luscious, full bodied, satisfying to any reader Well written dream of a book that draws you in personally into a world where men discover themselves to be heros, and woman are strong , fiercely independent but a sweetly feminine port in a storm..the action is intense, the characters are fully human, good and bad, and the ending caps off a great adventure..loved it to say the least and I am a lifetime, picky reader. G. Smith

Historical fiction & non-stop adventure I’ve read a lot of books, but I can’t say that historical fiction has been a big part of my reading list. Until now. This book is more than epic (it weighs in at 2 lbs!). It crosses all kinds of genres, from action-adventure to history to humor, even fine dining and wine. I found the character development to be extraordinary;I will remember them all, from the main characters to the supporting cast. Another thing I really liked, was that in a 600 page book filled with literally dozens of different plot stories, every single story was unique, unlike any I had ever read in another book or seen in a movie. (Which, by the way, this book is made for. I can see the NETFLIX series in my head.) It has a powerful antagonist and several strong, smart beautiful women, and the descriptions of geographical locations are beautiful. I was almost put off by the title (‘Scoundrel?’ What the heck is that?), but I’m glad I didn’t let it deter me. The way he got the name is funny and fascinating. Also, the way the author weaves in real people like Mark Twain, Bat Masterson, Bulfalo Bill and others is done naturally and they perfectly fit the plot. I’ve read other books where historical people are tossed in as window-dressing. Not here. They are portrayed as real flesh and blood people. My advice? If you love great storytelling that immerses you in the journey, this is the book for you. -Jon S

Why I Recommend This Book! No, it isn’t a silly name (Scoundrel) made up by the author. His character’s name is Thomas Edward Scanddrel (French origin) which was bastardized when a harried officer’s aide filled out a military form. I mention this because the name bothered me when I first saw the book cover. Loved this book. Quite a page turner with action packed into a riveting story line. Add to that, Thomas Scoundrel’s path brings him into comradeship with a wealth of historic characters. Walt Whitman, Buffalo Bill Cody, Bat Masterson, Lily Langtree, Giuseppe Verdi, Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, John L. Sullivan and others. The brilliantly crafted plot makes these appearances very logical and propels the tale to great heights. Yeah, a great and fun book. Curiously, Thomas Scoundrel isn’t a great fighter, marksman, quick draw expert or much that usual heroic characters possess. He gets beat up, knifed, thrown off a cliff and shot at relentlessly. But, he keeps getting back up. Keeps moving ahead and thinking his way through adversities. He is the everyman that prevails because of good character and an eye on the ultimate goal. You will like this book. It will prepare you for the next upcoming book of Scoundrel’s adventures. B. R. O’Hagan is quite the story teller. A writer of great talent and imagination. Paul Harmon / Artist

Big book, really big story Like another reviewer, I was a little uncertain about this book because of the title. I’m glad I got past that concern. The story of why 17-year old Civil War private Thomas Scandréll’s name was changed to Scoundrel (and his military rank raised to full colonel) is both hilarious and suspenseful. I got completely wrapped up in the story in the first 5 minutes. It begins with two kinds of explosions; first, a barrage of old fashioned rifle and cannon fire and then, in one of the funniest scenes you will ever read, with an exploding champagne cork that takes an epic flight in a stuffy New York restaurant. Most of the book is set in Colorado in 1882.The descriptions of food and drink, from the gourmet fare of big city restaurants to seared antelope steak outdoors under starlit prairie skies, are guaranteed to make you hungry. The battle scenes and fights are real, sometimes brutal, and absolutely authentic. Thomas’s love interests are among the strongest, smartest, most interesting lead female characters I have ever encountered in books. The storyline is not complicated; his best friends’ fiancé is kidnapped and taken to Colorado, and Thomas leaves his job in New York to help find and rescue her. What really makes this book are the people he meets along the way, including the baddest bad guy you can imagine, and great characters from history including Mark Twain, Buffalo Bill, and Oscar Wilde. O’Hagan is a highly visual storyteller. As I read, I kept saying to myself, “this scene would be great in a movie.” This is one book that I was sorry to see come to an end, but apparently there are sequels on the way, so I can look forward to more great adventure.-Brandon V.

More than Expected! I chew through historical fiction novels at a pretty fast pace. I prefer ‘big books', where characters are fully developed and there is plenty of in-depth backstory. I don’t tend to linger on many passages, or go back and re-read a passage. This book is different. It meets my ‘big book’ criteria (and them some), but the quality of writing, the freshness and originality of the characters and the fast, compelling pacing kept me going back to read a number of sections over and over, just to savor and re-experience that part of the journey. O’Hagan is master of dialogue, and the way he builds action sequences (and romantic encounters) really sets him apart from other authors. His style is highly visual, especially the way he describes the prairies, meadows, and forests of Colorado. Then there is the humor; sometimes subtle, other times laugh-out-loud hilarious. I am so impressed at the way O’Hagan balances all of these elements to create an absolute gem of historical fiction. Another bonus for me? That would be seeing Oscar Wilde as an action hero (with his own unique style, of course) in the climactic battle scene. What a hoot! -Christy R.

A hero we need Boy, when the ad said, ‘Adventure Returns,’ they weren’t lying. Scoundrel delivers adventure with a capital ‘A.’ I’ll admit that it was the promise of action that first attracted me to the book, and it has action to spare in just about every chapter. What surprised me was how real and interesting the characters were, including famous figures from history who fit perfectly in the story. And speaking of the story, the way O’Hagan takes a simple plot idea (a guy’s best friend’s fiancé is kidnaped, and he goes to help find her) and turns it into a drama filled with international intrigue, fishing, Native American medicine, gourmet food and brutally authentic fist and gun fights is pretty amazing. As for the main character, Thomas Scoundrel? I’ve long believed America needed a new hero; I’m happy to say that he has just arrived. -Robert B.

Caught me and held me Other reviewers here have spoken about the wonderful character development, beautiful scenic descriptions, and non-stop action to be found in this book. All that is true, but there is also more depth and literary quality in this book than I expected. The writing is powerful and top-flight. O’Hagan is a crafty author who knows how to draw us in and keep us engaged. The book is packed with history, philosophy and spirituality, particularly when it comes to his treatment of the Cheyenne people. From his descriptions of everyday life in the village to native healing practices, food, familial relationships and how they faced the closing of the frontier and the end of their traditional way of life, O’Hagan shows his great admiration and respect for them. It was a nice addition to a book where so much is going on. First rate.-Aaron S.

No shortage of page-turning cliffhangers The story itself is very good - quite atmospheric, with strong and interesting characters, and lots of surprises. Other reviewers have said there is some graphic violence, and that’s true, but it fits within the context of the story and the times. (The funny episodes balance out the violence.) The pacing is excellent, with plenty of cliff-hangers to keep you turning all 600+ pages. Really good stuff.  Avis P.

The bathtub scene alone makes it worth the read! OK, I have to confess that I purchased this book for my husband, since it seemed to reflect every manly attribute that an adventure loving history buff could hope for. But, he made the mistake of not picking it up the first night it was here, and so I thought I' d give out a try. I was hooked at the Prologue, and 4 hours later I reluctantly set it down to go to bed. The next day was Sunday, and I powered through to the end with coffee and cinnamon rolls. Yes, the author knows how to write an action scene that will keep you on the edge of your seat, but, boy does he know romance, too. The moonlit garden bath tub scene (which follows an epic battle to the death in an arena!) just took my breath away. The characters are authentic, the action is pulse-pounding, the story line is fantastic, and the last sentence in each chapter is guaranteed to keep you turning the pages.– Lesli D.

Fantastic & Intriguing Colonel Scoundrel and everything around his story was very enveloping and exciting to read. Once I started reading the book it was hard to put down. It easily led the imagination on an unpredictable adventurous journey through a time with danger around every corner. The characters and their environment were described so well as to put you there with them in the action, of which there is plenty! I am looking forward to the next adventure in the world with Colonel Scoundrel. Thank you, B.R. O'Hagan!  - Mark P.

Just right on every level Everything historical fiction should be. O’Hagan transports you to another place and immerses you in a rollicking adventure packed with unforgettable characters, magnificent scenery, fantastic food and wine and plenty of action and suspense. (Who knew Mark Twain could hold his own in a gun fight?) The writing kept me flying through the pages. Looking forward to the sequel. - Carolyn B.

Jump in! This wonderful, epic adventure brings everything to the table: memorable, true-to-life characters, relentless action (some of it pretty violent), humor, romance, achingly sad loss, history, and absolutely stunning descriptions of settings and scenes. O’Hagan is an author of the first order. Highly recommended. - Terry W.

A surprising & naughty delight Just finished reading the massive finale sequence while seated by a roaring fire. Seemed appropriate. What fun. This is a ridiculous book. I mean that in the best possible way. It is a never-ending stampede of action and intrigue from the first words to the last page. People always hurl bromides like that about books, but it’s actually true in this case.The protagonist, Thomas Scoundrel, is who The Most Interesting Man Alive from the Dos Equis commercials hopes to be when he grows up. He wittingly or unwittingly winds up doing the right thing, or being in the right place at the right time, every time, all book long. Like a steampunk James Bond, or Indiana Jones. And it never gets old. This surprising book is chock-full of violence that would make Quentin Tarantino flinch, sex scenes that would make EL James blush, and an excess of culture (and irony) that would have made Anthony Bourdain sing. (Seriously, there’s a shocking amount of attention paid to wine, and food, and the intricacies of a variety of native American heritages/traditions.) It has a captivating, warm vibe. Think of the TV show Yellowstone, or, better, 1883, combined with the smarmy hijinks of Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond (before they were bloated and ancient), combined with an old-timey Jules Verne-style epic adventure. It is gratuitous and over the top. It is irreverent, romantic, ambitious, and teeming with life at its messiest and most heroic. It’s relentless. It is extremely detailed, and layered and really smart. It is a paean to excess in the tradition of 100 Years of Solitude (though I’m not so sure Garcia Marquez would approve, but who really knows, anyway). The villains are dastardly, and the heroes are flawed. Precious little is black and white. So it goes. It just works. In the end I found Scoundrel in the Thick to be a compulsively readable, narcotically addictive, frenetically paced genre-defying joyride of a page turner. There’s more, I’m sure, to say. But right now I just can’t wait for book two in the series.-Michael S.

You won’t forget this ride! In Scoundrel in the Thick, O’Hagan pulls off something I didn’t think was possible; in the space of 20 minutes, he made me go from laughing out loud (making enough noise to wake up my spouse) to getting a little teary-eyed at the cruelty humans can inflict upon one another. I can only think of a couple of other writers who have had this effect on me.  Bravo to this big book and to the bigger-than-life characters and stories it introduces. Bring on the next book! -David O.

A Joy to experience For me, Scoundrel was a real joyride from start to finish. I can’t remember the last time I sat down with a book this big only to find myself pulled straight through to the finish line. O’Hagan is a masterful and inventive storyteller. I found myself saying (again and again), they have to make a series based on this book. So many original characters, so many individual scenes that you have to go back and read again because they are so fun/surprising/amazing. All that, and none of the politics or preaching that infest so many novels these days. Just pure, adrenaline packed fun.- Todd R.

A Native American perspective When my friend told me that this book was for women as much as for men, I didn’t believe her.  Honestly, with the word ‘Scoundrel’ in the title I didn’t know what to think. I was hesitant to give it a look. But I respect my friend’s judgment and so I took the plunge. So GLAD I did. Everything about the book, from the quality of the writing to the way each character is crafted, was fantastic. Incredible tension, really fast pacing, and some really, really amazing romance scenes. (OK, plenty of brutal violence, too, but the balance was wonderful.) As a Native American woman I am not used to seeing such positive and honest portrayals of Native women and men in books. The character of Dawn Pillow (perfect name!), the Cheyenne healer, made the entire read even more special to me. When this book is made into a movie or NETFLIX series (and believe me, it will be) all the producers have to do is to stay true to the story and characters and they will have a monster hit.–Stephanie F.

Pour a glass for me! This great blend of history, adventure, and creativity brings historical figures into a fascinating plot that never slows. It leaves the reader breathless and wishing only for a sip of a great pinot noir! –K. Berg

Conspiracy, scandal and a hero’s journey Initially it was a real task to begin this book because I usually read science fiction or spy thrillers. The surprise for me was that I was immediately captured by the story and really had great difficulty putting it down as there is compelling action I think in just about every chapter. The characters are well developed, and you build a relationship (good and bad) with each. The setting for the story follows the U.S. Civil war, a very uncertain time. It starts in New York City and finishes a little south of Mexico City. The action is frequent, gripping, and quite graphic. The scenes are so well captured you feel like you are there, from the smells of gun smoke and grandeur of scenic vistas to the sizzle of the steaks grilling. And oh yes, if you are not a person with a taste for good food and wine, you will be by the end of the book. It is historic fiction, but the author clearly did a good bit of background research to make it palpably real. In light of the events of today, I'm really not sure that it couldn't have happened. I cannot wait for the next in the series! – W.L. Hughes

Coming Soon?????